We are not sure if that rodent was right about an early spring, but we were herfin in 60+ degrees in February. No complaints from the Cretins for Blowin Smoke 219!

IF spring is right around the corner, so is St. Patricks Day and that means the annual release of the Alec Bradley Filthy Hooligan. We grabbed a fistful for the Cigar of the Day along with our local Alec Bradley rep Ryan to join us in the Havana Room for some herfications and conversation.

New year...same odd smell coming from the Havana Room. That could only mean Blowin Smoke 218!

While most of the east coast was digging out of a major snowstorm, the Cretins were herfing with virtually zero snow on the ground. Since that situation is usually the opposite, excuse us while we enjoy our lack of shoveling, spinning tires and falling on our collective arses.

We also talked about our recent Prime Nine cigars of 2015, and connected with Chris Kelly of Leaf Lovers Tobacconist for a new Smoke Buzz report. Plus, some weird news, what the chicks are reading in the latest Cosmo, and a new 5 Things.

So, depending on where you are, light one up with us with your feet up, or light one up with us while you shovel your driveway for the fourth time. It is Blowin Smoke 218!

Hey, it was either THIS or Caitlyn Jenner's top nine favorite moisturizers. While that is intriguing, and several of the participating Cretins probably use one or two of them personally, cigars are more our thing, and we think there is a big difference between humidity and moisture.

That being said, you will, no doubt, take issue with our results. Good! You should. It is impossible to try every new release, let alone get a consensus. We also had many fantastic cigars that didn't break top nine scoring, but made it on one or more Cretin's lists. Let us know where you think we screwed up. (Hell, the Cretins bitch when one of their submitted favorites doesn't make the list!)

So, let's do this.

The Cretins were asked to submit their top five favorite new cigars from the past year, in order, as well as some brief commentary on their selections. Positions were scored. Points were tallied and we came up with our Blowin' Smoke Podcast Cretins' Prime Nine 2015!

Collaborations are fun. Imagine a world without bacon and eggs. Sad, really. Boilermakers. Turducken. Francesca Eastwood. All fabulous collaborations. The same goes for the boutique collaboration between the Romeo y Julieta folks at Altadis USA and Aging Room Cigars. Their efforts took the brand to a new level by really changing up the flavor profile and strength within a Dominican puro, no less. Let's be honest. You probably long held mental notes on Romeo y Julieta whatever they may be. We'll bet Romeo by Romeo y Julieta Aging Room will challenge that for the better. Cretins said -- "First, it's a great cigar. Medium, complex, tasty, and well made. Second, it's a complete break from what we're used to with RyJ." -- "I am now a ROMEO whore."

The Warped El Oso landed in this very spot last year, and this year they make another solid appearance with the Warped Futuro Seleccion Suprema. Speaking of collaboriations, the Futuro, or future, is a collaboration between Warped's Kyle Gellis and Max Fernandez of Casa Fernandez. A Nicaraguan puro, it features rare tobaccos from the Aganorsa vault and just brings the flavor and complexity. Should we hold this spot for something new from Warped next year? Welcome back. Cretins said -- "The best of both worlds...classic yet modern." -- "Rich with notes of cedar, cinnamon, coffee, and chili pepper spice." -- "An elegant and balanced smoke."

When you see the packaging, website, and associated marketing materials of Black Label Trading Company, you might get the idea that you're being enticed by a secret underground cult that sacrifices cigars instead of goats or virgins or virgin goats. Whatever they are doing, they are making believers out of the Cretins, and the 2015 Morphine has eased the pain quite nicely. Released as a small batch new blend under the same "Morphine" name, it still features two maduro wrappers. One "inny," and one "outy." I'm pretty sure that's how BLTC's James Brown describes it. Morphine is also a Nicaraguan puro and is made in the company's new factory called Fabrica Oveja Negra. The Cretins have redefined a "Morphine drip" as a BLTC Morphine, an adult beverage, and silence. Cretins said -- "Morphine is worth tracking down and smoking." -- "Both the Morphine lancero and robusto are phenomenal." -- "Good and spicy. A great pain killer." -- "A sneaky strong cigar that leaves your head spinning and wanting more."

Do you remember that line from "Ghostbusters" when the crazy chick, Gozer, asks "Are you a god?" Well, let me say, "AJ, when someone asks you if you are a god, you say "YES!"" AJ...er Lord AJ makes some amazing cigars for others, but he also puts his own name on some primo sticks too, AND keeps the pricing very reasonable. Win-win! This is one of them. There seems to have been a lot of brands doing flavorful, surprisingly bold things with Connecticuts lately. AJ Fernandez is a leader in that pack. With a mild to medium body, the New World Connecticut will surprise you with flavor and subtle spice that plays with your mind a little. THIS is a Connecticut? (Last year, the AJ Fernandez New World also made the Prime 9.) Connecticut wrapper, of course, with a San Andres binder, and filler from Nicaragua and Brazil. Cretins said -- "Beginning with cream and floral notes, building into damp cedar, and finishing with oak and a bit of floral grass." -- "So much flavor for a Connecticut." -- "A perfect cigar to start the day, or finish the day, or think about the day, or just smoke the damn thing all day."

Paraphrasing Butch and Sundance...who is that guy? Back to back! Shifting gears, the Enclave delivers a stronger smoke, fuller body, and more intense flavors than the Connecticut, as you might expect. AJ Fernandez wrapped an Ecuadorian Habano Rosado around a Cameroon binder and his own select Nicaraguan fillers. The results are deliciously unique and different from the New World yet signature AJ in its high quality and reasonable pricing. Cretins said -- "Smokey leather with white pepper meets you up front before transitioning back to black coffee with a baking spice undertone. It finishes with earth and light cocoa notes." -- "So easy to enjoy. Consistent flavor delivery. Nice little kick too." -- "AJ nailed it again with the Enclave...really like this cigar." -- "Earthy hit right from the start that carries through. Good full body taste."

No stranger to the Cretin Prime Nine, Fred Rewey and his Nomad Cigar Company has been going full speed ahead releasing two new lines in 2015 with one of them actually being a three in one...the Nomad Therapy which comes in a Connecticut, Habano, and Maduro style. One thing you can't help but notice with each new release from Nomad is Fred's increasing ability to blend for flavor...amazing flavor. Plus, remember what I said up above about that AJ guy...and his making great cigars for others...and that Connecticut wrapper stuff??? Well, cough-cough-cough... Combine this obvious passion, throw in a trenendous work ethic, sprinkle in an addicting social media presence, and Nomad's following continues to grow. It's obvious the Cretins are fans. Therapy Connecticut delivers just that with a Connecticut Ecuador wrapper, San Andres Mexico binder, and Nicaraguan filler. Cretins said -- "Dammit, Fred! Leave some room for someone else!" -- Another GREAT Connecticut!" -- "The Rape-y is so good, it should be illegal. (See what I did there?)" -- "Explain to me how this is a Connecticut." -- "My wife hates you, Fred." -- "Enjoy this with coffee, trust me."

Another familiar face on the annual Cretin Prime Nine is back. Sam Leccia and his Leccia Tobacco scored top honors the last TWO YEARS, and he has returned with a new line that scored a tie for fourth place this year. Not too shabby at all. Sam has released a new line under the Luchador name...El Gringo. Much like the original Luchador line, this blend will slap you around if you're not careful. Both the flavor and strength department are more jacked up, but there is a sexy smoothness to the El Gringo too. Like getting your ass kicked by Scarlet Johansson. More Nicaraguan tobacco plus the always turning gears of this Leccia dude means brace yourself. Luchador El Gringo has a Nicaraguan oscuro wrapper, Nicaraguan habano binder, and ligero fillers from Pennsylvania and Nicaragua. Do you have your mask yet? Cretins said -- "The power bomb of spice." -- "Do not operate heavy machinery while..." -- "Full bodied yet smooth and balanced...like a shovel to the face."

If you haven't experienced anything from RoMa Craft Tobac and their Nica Sueno factory, you really need to reevaluate your life. The team of Skip Martin, Michael Rosales, and Esteban Disla, in addition to being majorly sexy mo-fos, are creating some unbelievably good, highly creative, and well sought after cigars. Follow them on social media, speak with them at events, or experience their cigars and you will know how personally involved and focused on their craft they really are. There is stuff happening at RoMa Craft, besides the cigars, that you just feel. These guys are all in. The Neanderthal was talked about for a couple years before making its appearance in 2015. When it started shipping, they were hard to find, but enough Cretins mooched, bribed, traveled, and begged for them, and were not let down. While the Neanderthal HN (Homo Neanderthalensis), a figurado with a flat cap (think of a neanderthal head), was a national release, some of the Cretins were lucky enough to also try the Neanderthal SGP (Shallow Gene Pool) which was a select store and event only exclusive. The Neanderthal has a Mexican San Andres maduro wrapper, a US Connecticut broadleaf maduro binder, and Pennsylvania double ligero, Nicaraguan (4 regions), and Dominican filler. Cretins said -- "A great strong cigar perfect for after dinner, assuming that dinner is a big ass steak." -- "A full, complex bomb of a cigar that doesn't let up from start to finish." -- "Fun size, complex flavors, and a full nic punch." -- Calling all hairy-chested nut scratchers...your cigar has arrived!" -- "A very uniquely shaped cigar that can be a bitch to cut, but fantastic and flavorful with rich coffee, pepper and cocoa notes." -- "Full bodied, but not overwhelming. Another RoMa Craft winner."

What the...? Nomad Cigar Company lands another spot on the 2015 Prime Nine. It's fair to say that more Therapy is a good thing, or the Cretins just need as much as they can get. Maybe that's a distinction without a difference, but the Therapy Maduro finds itself finrmly in the number two spot. You know the Nomad Therapy thing from the Connecticut blend in the number six spot. The Therapy Maduro has a Pennsylvania broadleaf wrapper around a Nicaraguan Jalapa habano binder, and Nicaraguan filler. Cretins said -- "Cretins need a LOT of Therapy." -- "I need a lot of maduro Therapy this year!" -- "Ramped up with more spice and body than Connecticut and Habano...the leader of the pack." -- "Extra spice, coffee and leather with a subtle sweetness too."

OK, who let this guy in?! Wow! Nomad Cigar Company scores the top spot on the 2015 Cretins Prime Nine AND three spots overall! It's like this guy is blending just for the Cretins. Obviously, that's not true, but what Fred Rewey IS blending certainly is falling into the Cretins' wheelhouse. When the Esteli Lot 8613 hit, the chatter among the Cretins was wondering if Fred could top the S-301 or the C-276 as they were both very unique, bold and flavorful. It quickly turned to a combination of enthusiasm and anger. OMG! He did it! He topped them. Dammit! I need a box of these. There were times they were traded or passed about or spied at a tobacconist like Wonka's golden ticket. The Nomad Esteli Lot 8613 was a game changer to the game changer to the game changer. Talk about diversity, Fred's Nomad Cigar Company is truly showing how it is done. The Esteli Lot 8613 has an Ecuadorian habanp wrapper with Nicaraguan binder and filler. (Psst. And that AJ Fernandez guy makes it.) Cretins said -- "This could be the perfect cigar." -- "Well balanced flavor and strength." -- "This cigar is nearly perfect...full and complex." -- "A damn good cigar." -- "A consistent smoke that is always pleasurable, just like Fred." -- "This thing is a new cigar every two inches or so. Complex and deep, but not crazy. Like the perfect woman." -- "Every Elsteli Lot 8613 I have had (30+) has been just what I wanted and needed...spicy, rich, bold, effortless, and satidfying...consistently cuts right through to the pleasure place."

Congratulations, Fred Rewey & Nomad Cigar Company!

So, there it is. The Cretins Prime Nine for 2015 in all its glory. Congratulations to all those who made the list! Let's do it again next year.

But wait! We have to mention some great cigars that landed right on the bubble of the 2015 Cretins Prime 9. And I mean right on the freakin' bubble, folks! Check out these fantastic cigars too... Tatuaje Monster Series 2015 #8 -- Foundation Cigar Company's El Gueguense -- Roberto P. Duran -- Drew Estate Undercrown Shade --

It's a new podcast and a chance for one lucky Cretin at large to score the coveted post Cigar Crawl prize pack loaded with cigars and stuff from the 2015 Western Pennsylvania Cigar Crawl. Who will be the lucky winner?

Plus, as always, we review a new Cigar of the Day...the new Alec Bradley Sanctum. We check in with Chris Kelly at Leaf Lovers for a new pre trade show Smoke Buzz, and even got a surprise call from Mr. Sexy Chaps, Clint Aaron of 262 Cigars.

The latest Cosmo provided some advice fodder with what the chicks are reading and newly engaged Cretin Jeff laid down a new 5 Things. Plus weird news and more.

So, grab a favorite handmade, pour a cold one, and click play for Blowin' Smoke #216!

The struggles and hardships and backed up sewers of your Chief Cretin, El Freako, are largely in the rear view mirror and a new podcast is finally here. With fellow Cretins gathered, we sparked up a new Cigar of the Day...the Joya Red Toro. That means a new contender in a fresh new Cigar Match too. How did the Joya Red fair?

We also checked in with Chris Kelly of Leaf Lovers Tobacconist for the latest news and views in cigars with a new Smoke Buzz.

Our public service of what the chicks are reading yielded some good advice for the ladies that the Cretins largely agreed with. Imagine! And Cretin Dan dished a personal 5 Things about getting healthy. We both love and hate that idea because bacon.

Plus, we talked about the recent 17th annual Western Pennsylvania Cigar Crawl and announced a sweet CONTEST where you could win a big prize pack of stuff from the Cigar Crawl. Listen for how to enter for your chance to win. Deadline to enter is midnight July 11, 2015! Hurry!

So, grab your favorite stick and a favorite beverage and click play for the Cretins and Blowin' Smoke #215!

With a brief thaw from their long wintery deep freeze, the Cretins gathered around a hot stove for some herfin' and called it Blowin' Smoke 214!

Supplied with a new Cigar of the Day, we lamented the lingering long winter but felt hope in the approaching Cigar Crawl in May. Chris Kelly joined in for a new Smoke Buzz which sent out a new clarion call over Pennsylvania's new tax and spend governor's desire to raise taxes (again) on cigars...as well as everything else that isn't already taxed. The ripple effects of such a tax will effect cigar smokers across the country.

Our weird news stories seemed to follow a certain theme, while the "what the chicks are reading" segment followed the (ahem) usual theme. Plus a new 5 Things from Cretin Jeff had him reminiscing about his college fraternity days.

So dress in layers, fire one up, and click play for all that and more with the Cretins and Blowin' Smoke #214!

New year...same Cretin losers! Some things you just can't change, but there is a certain beauty in Cretin mediocrity. It's predictable...the perfect balance to the unpredictability of the Blowin' Smoke Podcast.

We kick off the new year with a fun show featuring special guest Tony Bellatto...a cigar retailer (Havana House) in northeast Ohio AND owner of La Barba cigars...a young boutique brand with growing fan base. Tony talked to us about, of course, La Barba, and about growing up and into the family business. Tony is also a very highly rated sommelier and talked to us about that and how it plays into cigars and others things too.

The Blowin' Smoke Podcast Cretins' Prime Nine 2014 - Our favorite new cigars from the past year. This is our humble addition to all the year end lists listing list listifications, and we like to think of the Cretin Prime Nine as a combination of the best, sexiest, favorite, and most memorable handmade lovelies we were lucky enough to get our hands on. Remember, there is no way for the lowly Cretins to have smoked, let alone even seen at whatever retail source or mooch target they acquire their cigars from, every single new release last year. So, your results may vary. You'll cheer for some...bitch about others, and likely (justifiably) question the intelligence of the Cretin collective as you immerse yourself our most sacred selections. Knock yourself out! After you settle down, pop a Xanax, and down a few Jager Bombs, make it a point, if you haven't already, to seek these fine cigars out and take them for a spin. Support their makers and the retailers that are fighting every day to continue providing us with this amazing indulgence that brings so many of us together every day.

The Cretins were asked to submit their top five favorite new cigars from the past year, in order, as well as some brief commentary on their selections. Positions were scored. Points were tallied and we came up with our 2014 Prime Nine. Saddle up!

The Blowin' Smoke Cretins Prime Nine for 2014

#9 - Herrera Esteli Norteño

The Norteño was the first release from Drew Estate following Willy Herrera being named Master Blender in June. Featuring a Mexican San Andrés wrapper around a Honduran binder and "extensively aged" fillers from the Esteli and Jalapa regions of Nicaragua, "Norteño by Willy Herrera promised a full bodied smoke and the Cretins liked it. Cretins said: "Spicy and complex." "Fantastic cigar with a long lasting finish."

#8 - Warped El Oso

If you like saying "Made in the USA," with your fine cigars, check out the Warped El Oso. From Little Havana in Miami and the famed El Titan de Bronze factory, Warped El Oso, or "papa," is made in the true Cuban technique and blended Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro wrapper around an Ecuadorian binder and Nicaraguan and Dominican filler. This combination clicked with the Cretins enough to score the eighth spot on our list this year. Cretins said: "Honey and spice, and everything nice." "The most surprising good cigar of the year." "This is a company to watch."

#7 - Island Jim #2

Somebody once said...and I am paraphrasing, "Be yourself. Unless you can be Island Jim. Always be Island Jim." The Cretins agree, and, although we can't quite pull off the yellow sunglasses, or the long hair for that matter, we can aspire to have fun at what we do for a living. If you know Island Jim, you feel like he just loves what he is doing right now. And what he is doing is working. With the continuing growth and success of the Leaf by Oscar line, Island Jim is keeping the fun going with the release of #2...a torpedo with a unique wrapper color assembly that resembles a #2 pencil. This Island Jim is not to be confused with the Island Jim cigar that was part of Eddie Ortega's unique "Wild Bunch" series. This new Island Jim, like the Leaf by Oscar line, also comes out of Oscar Valladares Tobacco and Company factory in Honduras. The "and company" part includes Island Jim. Grab this one if you see it. They were going very fast here in the Burgh at Island Jim's store...Leaf & Bean in the Strip District. The makeup of the Island Jim #2 has not been disclosed as of this writing...not even to the Cretins who said: "Unique in several ways. A great smoke." "Island Jim has another hit alongside the Leaf series." "I can't wait to see what Island Jim and Oscar some up with next."

#6 - Señorial by José Blanco

Ask anybody who has ever had the pleasure to meet José Blanco and you'll likely hear the same thing. José is one of the nicest people in the cigar business. What they will also tell you is that his presence raises the collective cigar IQ of everyone in the room. Following the success of the CyB line with Drew Estate and Joya de Nicaragua's Dr. Cuenca, and his departure, José created Las Cumbres Tobaco and began work on what would become Señorial through his cousin Jochi Blanco's factory, Tabacalera La Palma in the Dominican Republic. Señorial has an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, a binder from Esteli, Nicaragua, and filler of Dominican Piluto Cubano and Dominican Corojo. The result is a complex smoke with a subtle sweetness underneath a rich, fuller flavor and strength profile. Cretins said: "One of the best made cigars I've ever smoked." "A classic cigar." "What you think a cigar should taste like."

#5 - 1502 Nicaragua

Maybe it's the hair gel. Maybe it's the red denim jeans. Maybe it's that intangible seductive man-crush something something that surrounds Enrique Sanchez. We don't know. What we do know is he has some fantastic blending going on at 1502 Cigars. Following up the success of the Emerald, Ruby, and Black Gold lines is another uniquely flavorful and very well constructed 1502 Nicaraguan. As the Cretins continue debating the best of the first three, along comes the Nicaragua to reboot the argument again. Enrique says the Nicaragua nestles in between the Emerald and the Ruby on the strength scale. The 1502 Nicaragua is a puro featuring tobacco from the four main growing regions of the country...Esteli, Jalapa, Condega, and Ometepe. Cretins said: "A worthy follow up to the Emerald, Ruby, and Black Gold." "This puro delivers what you'd expect from Nicaragua, but with a balance of strength and spice that only Enrique can deliver." "Another score from 1502. Now, I need a box, dammit!"

#4 - New World by A.J. Fernandez

A.J. Fernandez does amazing things with tobacco. Odds are some of your favorite cigars were made in his factory even if they don't bear his name. New World celebrates the discovery of tobacco by the Christopher Columbus expedition in 1492, and it also marks the first collaboration with his father, Ismael Fernandez. So, A.J.'s people say this cigar is very special to him. We say bring in some uncles or second cousins too if it delivers more cigars as good as the New World. Hell, would you consider an Adopt-A-Cretin program?? New World by A.J. Fernandez is a Nicaraguan puro with a dark wrapper, binder from Jalapa, and filler from Ometepe, Condega and Esteli. New World has a complex flavor balancing spicy and sweet with a boldness that builds throughout. Cretins said: "Please, sir, I want some more." "Leather, pepper, earth, coffee, unsweetened molasses blended to almost perfection cigar to cigar." "A fantastic cigar and at a fantastic price point."

#3 - Nomad C-276

Fred Rewey, @GodFadr, of Nomad Cigar Company is one boutique cigar maker that really gets it. While he looks at his place behind the scenes in the cigar business as a journey of sorts...learning, improving, creating, and learning some more each step of the way, he also knows that building relationships with us consumers is as important as producing a high quality product, and I think he is one of the best at it. While the processes in Fred's mind frighten me quite a bit, I know his brain is always working. He is very active on social media. He ties them all into unique contests, giveaways, swag promotions, appearances, interviews, and a healthy amount of self deprecation that continues to bring new fans to Nomad. Fred's behind the scenes journey into tobacco, blending, and experimenting has been releasing some incredibly good cigars to seal the deal, keep it real, and impress the hell out of his minions. The Nomad C-276 made fans of last year's Nomad S-307 punch their grandmothers. The flavor and complexity just keeps coming in waves with the C-276. The wrapper is Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro. The binder is Nicaraguan, and the filler is made up of five different Nicaraguan leaves. Oh, and guess where it's made? Tobacalera AJ Fernandez. Cretins said: "Complex and flavorful." "Quality, tasty...this will be smoked often." "A new go to cigar for a consistent flavorful smoke." "The C-276 never disappoints." "The Nomad C-276 dazzles." "Like your favorite shirt...always good." "A ton of flavor with some spice on the retrohale."

#2 - Nomad Connecticut Fuerte

If the idea of a Connecticut wrapped cigar makes you roll your eyes or even yawn, you need to smoke the Nomad Connecticut Fuerte. With his second placing on this year's Cretin Prime 9, Fred Rewey decided to bring another Connecticut cigar to market, but wanted it to be different...not just another Connecticut...that makes you roll your eyes and yawn. He admits he thought it would be easy because, phfft, it's Connecticut, right? Turns out, it was a bitch, and it became more of a challenge. Lucky for us, Fred kept at it, sought out a variety of quality tobaccos and finally nailed it. The Nomad Connecticut Fuerte is not going to blow your head off with power, but it will deliver flavors and complexity you don't experience with a Connecticut...until now. They're not boring anymore! Yay! The Nomad Connecticut Fuerte has an Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper (duh!), an Ecuadorian Habano binder, and the filler is Dominican and Nicaraguan. Cretins said: "A lot of complexity and strength, relative to wrapper, for one amazing cigar that smokes perfectly and evenly." "Notes of cocoa, coffee, cedar, and just a hint of spice." "This is THE Connecticut that all others should be compared to. Simply amazing." "Irony. Delicious irony." "Well done, GodFadr. Well done." "All around best Connecticut cigar released this year." "Wonderful cream and muted pepper notes while still giving just a bit of earth tones without being grassy like the majority of Dominicans."

#1 - Luchador

Deja Vu all over again! This Leccia cat has been here before. Winning both the number one AND number two spots last year with the Leccia Black and Leccia White respectively, his follow-up release, Luchador, hit the market and the Cretins with all the subtlety of a roundhouse kick. The Leccia Luchador ran away with this one as Cretin votes tallied a final score that was double the next highest score. Whatever Sam is tuning into when he is blending, it's working. The Luchador was also the cigar that defeated the Leccia Black in the Blowin' Smoke Podcast Cigar Match after a crazy 19 wins and one tie. If you're not careful, the Luchador will kick you in the nerts, but it will talk dirty to you while it does. Bold, rich and chewy with spicy and sweet trading punches. The longer you smoke the Luchador, the more intense the experience. Hands down, the most impressive according to the Cretins. Luchador has a San Andrés wrapper, an Ecuadorian Habano binder, and a filler of Pennsylvania ligero, Honduras ligero, and Ometepe, Nicaraguan. One! Two! Three! Win! Cretins said: "Another home run for Sam!" " Perfect balance of power and flavor." "Complex and deep flavors sting but not over powering." "Sweet to spicy and bright to dark flavors." " Luchador blows me away EVERY time I spark one." "A top rope body slam." "My favorite cigar of the year."

Congratulations, Sam Leccia & Leccia Tobacco!

So, there it is. The Cretins Prime Nine for 2014 in all its glory. Congratulations to all those who made the list! Let's do it again next year.

But wait! We have to mention some great cigars that landed right on the bubble of the Prime 9. Check out these fantastic cigars too (Just pay additional shipping and processing): Tatuaje Tattoo -- E.P. Carrillo La Historia -- 262 Allegiance -- Camacho Ecuador -- Corona Project by Rodrigo

Oh, what fun it is to herf with the Cretins all day long... It's Blowin' Smoke 212!

With the Havana Room heaters cranking a combined 50,000 BTUs, or burning tobacco units, we gathered for a pre-holiday herf complete with a new Cigar of the Day...the Leaf & Bean by Oscar Connecticut. It's a cigar with a local connection most of us have been familiar with but had not had the chance to review on the show...until now.

We also hooked up with Chris Kelly for the latest Smoke Buzz, and had a surprise call from none other than Skip Martin of RoMa Craft Tobac that lead to a great conversation about his company, living (and eating) in Nicaragua, and looking ahead.

With visions of insulin pumps dancing in their heads, the Cretins gathered for some post Halloween herfing and Blowin' Smoke #211!

With all the candy flying around after Halloween, the Cretins sparked up a new Cigar of the Day, put on their thinking caps, and hosted a Halloween Trick or Treat Candy Draft...five teams...five candy players per team. So, who drafted the best Halloween candy team? That decision came down to the "Candy Commissioner" and his word is final...even if it totally sucks malted milk balls.

Along with the candy draft, we talked to Chris Kelly for the latest Smoke Buzz, checked out the news of the weird, explored what the chicks are reading, and got back into Halloween with a new 5 Things.

So, fire up a stick...not the pixie variety...grab a drink, and join the Cretin ghouls for Blowin' Smoke #211.

With a hint of Ebola in the air, the Cretins gathered for Blowin' Smoke 210!

Armed with a new Cigar of the Day, and a new Cigar Match, it was high time to dispel the fear and myths of the Ebola virus. So, with our projectile vomiting and explosive diarrhea temporarily under control, we checked in with the official Blowin' Smoke physician, Dr. HardCrab, for the "real" facts. Or not.

We also listed our eight cigars we would want in the event of an Ebola quarantine.

We talked to Chris Kelly for the latest Smoke Buzz, checked out the latest Cosmo for a new look at what the chicks are reading, and explored some weird news from the internet.

Another Big Ass Birthday is upon us again as we turn 9! That's nine years of the Blowin' Smoke Podcast, smokin' cigars, making friends and enjoying those friendships with laughter and good times. Join us as we celebrate!

We'll spend the afternoon eatin', drinkin' and herfin'! El Freako will bring along another Big Ass Birthday Cake. Please join us! Meet El Freako and the Cretins, herf yourself silly, and make some new friends!

Joe and the gang at Slippery Rock Cigars will have the humidor stuffed, as usual, and some great deals too. We look forward to seeing you on November 15, 2014 for the 9th Annual Big Ass Birthday Herf!

A early taste of fall made the Havana Room perfect for Blowin' Smoke #209!

The little chill in the air had the coffee pot make an appearance along with our new Cigar of the Day from Miami Cigar & Company giving the Cigar Match a new contender. Plus, we welcomed @cigar_maverick to the Havana Room and officially christened him a Cretin.

Chris Kelly delivered the latest Smoke Buzz, Clint Aaron of 262 Cigars called in from the road and let us know what he's working on for 2015 and how he's doing awaiting the birth of his first child, and we chose a winner in our "Orgasm Killer" contest with @RobynCigar and Villiger Cigars.

Plus, a new installment of what the chicks are reading, a new 5 Things from our guest Cretin, and more.

So, grab a smoke and a drink, and join the herf. It's Blowin' Smoke #209!